We are now on the verge of the goal of our Lenten penance, prayer and charity. On Sunday, we enter into Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday. 

 

We will begin Mass that day by recalling the joyous reception of Jesus by the crowds as He humbly but triumphantly enters Jerusalem. Jesus rides on the donkey as the people acclaim Him and honor Him with their palms. 

 

For a moment, all seems right in heaven and on earth. We and all humanity recognize and adore Jesus as the Savior and the Son of God. It is as though the mission of Jesus in coming and living among us will have a rightful and glorious culmination. 

 

Suffering is the farthest thing from anyone’s mind, or so it seems.

 

But in just a few moments, in the course of the Mass, things change dramatically. After the Last Supper, the betrayal will occur. The manifestation of the lurking but real evil and sinfulness in our hearts takes place.

 

For 30 pieces of silver, the life of Jesus is bought and sold. His teaching and example is set aside as the power of this world seems to conquer all. 

 

So begins the suffering of Jesus that will end with the crucifixion.

 

We will read the passion accounts at both Mass on Palm Sunday and on Good Friday at the Service of the Veneration of the Cross. On both occasions, we find ourselves among the people who were present on that day 2,000 years ago. 

 

We join our voices and our consciences to those of the people who at that time shouted out, “Crucify Him. Crucify Him.”

 

The Gospel passages describing the crucifixion of Jesus highlight two particular groups of people for us to consider.

 

One group followed closely and essentially demanded a test of God. Standing before the beaten and crucified Jesus they said, “Let Him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in Him.” (Mt 27:42).

 

Pope Benedict found this attitude particularly descriptive of the modern mentality. He has written that like the people of Israel in the desert, the modern world frequently puts God to the test. 

 

Even more, we take to ourselves the right to determine the nature of the test to which God must submit. And we then determine if God’s response is sufficient for us to reward God with our belief in Him.

 

How often, for example, do we hear comments that the faith must change, that the Church is not up to the standards or opinion of the modern era? That only when things change to our satisfaction will someone come back to the Church?

 

On the other hand, we are told in the Gospels of those who stood before the cross, united to Jesus in silence and pain. It is mentioned that Mary, along with Mary Magdalene and the mother of James and John and St. John stood with Jesus (Mt 27:55-56). 

 

They offered their love with no conditions. They did not put Jesus to the test, even at His darkest hour, when they themselves could offer no more help.

 

The passion of Jesus calls for us to examine our faith. Are we willing to go all the way to the cross with Him? Are we willing to offer our faith and trust even when the weakness of the world and the humanity of the Church seem to obscure God’s presence at a given moment?

 

In our faith, we join with Mary who on Holy Saturday was the center of the early Church’s faith when Jesus had been buried and all seemed lost. We join with her, and the Apostles and the early faithful when something new is proclaimed on Easter Sunday. He is risen! Sin is conquered and forgiven! Death itself is dead!

 

We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again. It is true. Christ’s love conquers. 

 

May you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!